The Iowa Senate

State of Iowa

Eighty-First General Assembly

STATEHOUSE

Des Moines, Iowa 50319

For Immediate Release Contact: Kimberly Steenhoek

Tuesday, May 2, 2006 (515) 281-6571

Senate Committee Approves CIETC Accountability Legislation

DES MOINES – The Senate Government Oversight Committee tonight approved legislation to improve accountability, strengthen whistleblower protections and increase transparency in government agencies.  The bill is now eligible for debate on the Senate floor.

Senate Republicans introduced the bill, SSB 3271, in response to the recent pay scandal at the Central Iowa Employment and Training Consortium (CIETC). 

“The CIETC scandal is a glaring example of why these reforms are needed,” said Sen. Ron Wieck (R-Sioux City), who is co-chair of the Joint Government Oversight Committee that is investigating the CIETC scandal.  “This is strong accountability legislation that will ensure greater oversight and transparency when it comes to the use of taxpayer dollars.  This bill also strengthens protections for those who blow the whistle on waste, fraud and abuse.”  

“The blatant misuse of taxpayer dollars at CIETC combined with an utter lack of oversight by Iowa Workforce Development is completely outrageous,” said Sen. Pat Ward (R-West Des Moines), who is a member of the Oversight Committee.  “This bill includes meaningful reforms to ensure another CIETC scandal never happens again.”

The legislation includes the following provisions:

- Improves Accountability in Service Contracts – Requires contractors to submit annual financial reports to the state and meet specified ethical and professional standards regarding nepotism, conflicts of interest and whistleblower policies.

- Enhances Authority to State Auditor – Enhances auditor’s investigative authority, if alerted by a whistleblower to waste, fraud or abuse in state government. 

- Strengthens Whistleblower Protection Laws  – Creates a whistleblower protection board in the state ombudsman’s office to expedite the investigation of whistleblower complaints and ensure retaliation does not occur.  The board will consist of private citizens appointed by the Legislature.

- Increases Transparency in Intergovernmental Agencies – Requires service agencies formed by local governments under “28E” agreements to have open records and open meetings.

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